EXTENSIVE work to revamp the sports hall and graphics design building at a Cheshire West school can soon begin after plans were given the green light.

The Grange School, Hartford, had applied to Cheshire West and Chester Council for permission to remodel and refurbish the building to create a new state-of-the-art facility.

Prior approval has already been granted for temporary classrooms to be erected while the proposed work takes place.

According to a design and access statement, prepared by Squires and Brown Architects, the aim of the project is to transform the former sports hall building into a new multi-purpose hall.

The statement adds: "The project comprises the remodelling and refurbishment of an existing building that contains the former sports hall along with the existing graphic design department.

"With the completion of the new sports centre in 2019 this hall is primarily used for whole school assemblies and exams.

"The objective of the project is to create a facility in the heart of the campus called The Senior Hall which will provide a number of critical services for the school.

Chester and District Standard: An artist's impression of the south view of the new Senior Hall (Squires and Brown)An artist's impression of the south view of the new Senior Hall (Squires and Brown) (Image: Squires and Brown)
"It is expected to be a heavily utilised building offering flexible, adaptable spaces for a range of functions throughout the day. A new first floor level will be created within the existing hall to house the graphic design department."

As part of the project, the school is also looking to improve its graphic design department as well as its dining provision, which no longer has sufficient capacity for the its pupil numbers.

The design and access statement added: "The goal of this project is to provide a state-of-the-art dining and graphic design facility which will offer an inspirational space to enable the pupils to be creative, and an enhanced, nutritional dining experience.

"The dining hall will be an attractive environment where pupils and staff come together and the place that people want to go on the campus.

"Six hundred and twenty four pupils, plus staff, will be catered for throughout the lunch break through two sittings. The dining hall is also to accommodate school assemblies for around 500 people.

"The building will also serve as a main exam venue and provide essential flexible teaching space."

A small extension is also proposed to link the new Senior Hall to an adjacent theatre building.

For more details on the plans, search reference 21/03937/FUL on the council's online planning portal.